Growing demand for access to the wilds of BC has prompted the province to seek public input on the province’s seven-year-old trails strategy. “The intent of the review is to ensure the continued relevance and importance of the trail strategy to First Nations, recreationists, communities, tourism proponents and the province as a whole,” the BC …
NEWS
RCMP investigate dead sheep
RCMP in Pitt Meadows are investigating two incidents in which sheep have been found shot to death. The first incident happened December 25 when two pet sheep were killed while their owners were away enjoying Christmas dinner. “We found them when we got home,” says Jessica Marando. “Our sheep are Shetlands so their wounds were …
Youth council established
Rural youth from across Canada are being invited to apply for a seat on the first-ever Canadian Agricultural Youth Council. Canada’s agriculture minister, Marie-Claude Bibeau, issued the call for applicants on January 24. Council members will meet twice a year to discuss issues that matter to them – “everything from sustainable agriculture, market diversification and …
Agri-Innovation projects announced
Bees and cranberries are the latest recipients of funding under the Canada-BC Agri-Innovation Program, administered by the Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC. Worker Bee Honey Co. of Chilliwack received the largest portion of funding, $170,320, to support development of an automated honey extraction system. It will reduce labour costs for honey producers and improve data …
Secondary housing consultation
The province is asking for feedback on a proposal that would see landowners within the ALR given the right to have a second home if their local government approves. The idea, first announced by BC agriculture minister Lana Popham at the end of November, is fleshed out in an intentions paper released January 27. “Under …
Farm plans offer new opportunities for ranchers
VERNON – Winter weather chilled the turnout for the annual North Okanagan Livestock Association educational seminar in Vernon on January 15. Just half the 80 people registered made it to the event. “Some of our sponsors were not even able to make it,” says NOLA president Lani French. “The -20 temperatures and the poor road …